Police charged crowds of protesters and arrested 47 people in Missouri as tensions flared following the shooting dead of a "knife-wielding" suspect by police in St Louis.

Protesters were fewer than during the previous nights of demonstrations since another man, 18 year-old Michael Brown, was shot dead in Ferguson 11 days ago.

But Captain Ron Johnson of the Missouri Highway Police said bottles of water and urine were thrown at police, prompting officers to intervene to disperse them.

"As of 1:00 am we have 47 arrests," he told a news conference, adding that three guns were taken from demonstrators.

Image Caption:Demonstrators march down West Florissant, Missouri

The clashes came after several hundred protesters marched through St Louis chanting "Hands up, don't shoot!" while a musically-themed 'Peace Train' gave the demonstration a party atmosphere.

Sky News correspondent Dominic Waghorn, reporting from Ferguson, said: "We were bundled off the street with protesters who were arrested after police moved in with considerable force to clear the streets.

Video:Aug 20: Renewed Street Clashes

"The situation has returned to calm though scenes of predominantly white police faces and black protesters underline the problem that officers do not represent the people they are policing."

Capt Johnson said that there had been no shots fired during the evening and tear gas had not been used by police.

The man shot dead in St Louis on Tuesday was a 23-year-old African-American male approached by officers following reports of a robbery, according to police.

The suspect ignored orders to drop the knife and continued to approach the officers, coming "within three to four feet" before they opened fire, said St Louis Police Chief Sam Dotson.

The suspect was heard shouting "kill me now" as he moved towards police.

US Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to arrive in Missouri on Wednesday following his promise of a thorough investigation into Mr Brown's shooting.

A grand jury will hear from witnesses to Mr Brown's killing today amid calls for the police officer responsible, Darren Wilson, to be charged with his murder.

Mr Brown's family is preparing for his funeral, which is expected to take place on Monday.